Carville-I don't think this man (Merrick Garland) knows whether to wind his ass or scratch his watch

[Celerity]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/either-merrick-garland-gets-to-work-or-we-can-kiss-democracy-goodbye?ref=home




https://play.acast.com/s/the-new-abnormal/carville-eitherdemsholdonorkissdemocracy-sassgoodbye

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HNBk3NUDADX2Asv7P4sET

[kysrsoze]

1. Completely agree - he's a milquetoast and should be replaced. I've seen nothing concrete

from the Dept of Justice - all talk.

[brooklynite]

12. Hmm, should I trust President Biden's judgement or that of impatient bloggers?

[SoCalDavidS]

16. James Carville Is Not Exactly An Impatient Blogger nt

[Cuthbert Allgood]

57. James Carville is someone whose relevance passed decades ago. nt

[DallasNE]

77. So True

Indeed, why does DU even permit this post that is so critical of a Democrat. We don;t need that here too.

[Sur Zobra]

84. I don't think that Merrick Garland is a

Democrat

[Cuthbert Allgood]

90. He's the AG for a Democratic President.

Surely that counts for the TOS for this website.

[Sur Zobra]

91. I guess...

[FoxNewsSucks]

39. How about an explanation for why so many people

who committed brazen crimes, in the open and on camera are still not only free but actively undermining the prosecution and our democracy? Some have even made admissions that are damn near confessions.

Yet the DoJ has to "consider" enforcing a subpoena?

They weren't accused anonymously, with no evidence. One could understand why that kind of case would allow the suspect to remain free during the investigation. These people were caught in the act and admitted it. That calls for immediate arrest and incarceration while the prosecution builds that airtight case.

This is totally unacceptable to anyone not getting paid to shill for the status quo.

[Trueblue1968]

48. Pres Biden should make First Lady/Senator/Sec of State HILLARY CLINTON the AG !!!!!

[Fullduplexxx]

3. Our ag Mr Soggy Whitebread is hard at work .. things take time ... he's got a lot on his plate

The doj is a mess and it takes time to clean it up ... nothing happens over night ... you need to be patient... you dont understand the process ...

[Celerity]

6. At some point soon that dog won't hunt, he is now 7+ months on the job and has thousands

of subordinates. I have seen so many legal experts say that there is a distinct possibility that the Rethugs/Trumpers stall this all out for 2 years or more. If we lose the House and/or the Senate in a year or so, there goes a huge chunk of our Congressional oversight capacity.

Link to tweet

Laurence Tribe: If Garland doesn't prosecute Trump, the rule of law is "out the window"

Eminent constitutional law expert: If Biden and Garland won't go after Trump, country is in "desperate trouble"

https://www.salon.com/2021/08/30/laurence-tribe-if-garland-doesnt-prosecute-trump-the-rule-of-law-is-out-the-window/

[dalton99a]

20. +1

[Bettie]

32. The rule of law only applies

if everyone acknowledges that the laws apply to them.

One side has decided that laws (also rules and norms) don't apply to them and by all appearances Garland agrees.

[FoxNewsSucks]

41. Couldn't agree more.

Seeing all these traitors walking free and preparing for the next time is beyond disgusting.

[padah513]

7. I used to be down on him too

But considering that trump had a scandal brewing just about every other day for four years I can see where it might take a little time to get their judicial house back in order. Needs to hurry up though. The clock is moving.

[MiHale]

50. So tired of that response...

Tell us something…at least hold a mirror up to your nose so we can see if you’re still with us.

[Scrivener7]

58. I think the post you are responding to is sarcasm and the poster agrees with you.

[MiHale]

62. Didn't read it as sarcasm...

If so, so be it.

[Scrivener7]

64. "Mr Soggy Whitebread" is the tipoff.

[Fullduplexxx]

71. I was hoping for some action .. mueller handed garland 10 counts of obstruction and what we're

Getting is fitzmas

[MiHale]

74. Got it...

Guess I need to sharpen my wit a little. Saw a real nice sharpener online today, good price, think I’ll get it.

Thanks.

[Solomon]

78. We're getting Merry (Merrick) Fitzmuellermas

[Fullduplexxx]

85. Yea I seems that way .... I hope I am proven wrong

[Goodheart]

4. When we lose our democracy the role Merrick Garland will have played is

exactly the one he's playing.

[Hoyt]

5. Great Carville quip. But think Garland knows political and judicial implications.

[usaf-vet]

29. I'll bet every DUer also has a pretty good idea if the political and judicial implications.

That's why some of us are getting a little concerned about the future.

[Hoyt]

59. We've survived plenty of bad. Admittedly, trump was a true test. But he's gone, but not quietly.

[Arazi]

8. Sheesh, who does Carville think he is? Some kind of hyper-connected Dem insider?!

He certainly doesn't know as much as DUers who insist Merrick Garland just needs more time and space (and who definitely can't be bothered to answer direct questions without playing coy ffs!)

[ProfessorGAC]

18. What Are His Connections?

He's been semiretired for nearly 10 years.
Who are all these insiders he would know, 20+ years after Bill Clinton left office.
I understand his frustration, but I'm highly skeptical that he was special inside knowledge.

[hadEnuf]

22. He seems to have a connection with common sense.

And that's all it takes to figure out what needs to be done.

[ProfessorGAC]

40. Not In Dispute

But a light year from my point.

[hadEnuf]

68. I'm simply saying that one does not need to be an insider to see what needs to be done.

And Carville is well known are regarded so I don't think he is quite out of the insider loop yet.

[Arazi]

76. I hadn't read that he's retired. Where did you hear that?

He's a regular contributor at The Hill which specializes in Capital Hill gossip. Plus he's still a poli sci professor at Tulane iirc.

If you think guys like Carville (or Axelrod or other leading power brokers R or Dem) are disconnected from DC just because their successful candidate is no longer in office, well there's just no way. Heck, Terry McAuliffe even has Carville sending out fundraising pitches - as recently as last week.

[triron]

9. I agree with Carville 100%

[Celerity]

10. I have not been his biggest fangirl in the past, BUT I listened to the whole segment before I posted

the OP and it is hard to argue with most of what he said overall. It is worth a listen.

[Paladin]

15. I'm with Carville, as well.

Time without consequential punishment is the most potent weapon trump and his goons have, right now. We need to spool this slow-and-steady bullshit up, and damned soon. trump's fascist return to the White House needs to be stopped, now.

[OhioTim]

67. +100

Garland is devoid of any personality or energy. We need an AG who has a sense of urgency and about 20 years younger (I'm 75 btw).

[Mad_Machine76]

11. What is Garland doing (or not doing)?

Do we even know for sure? Does Carville know? I need more evidence before I believe that Garland is "doing nothing" (and no, Trump not being in chains this very instant does NOT constitute proof).

[Scrivener7]

55. And if you never get more evidence, will you always believe he is doing something?

[Mad_Machine76]

60. I believe he is doing the job for which he was appointed

Some people here seem to believe that going after his Trump, et. al is supposed to be his primary, if not sole, job responsibility and that is not AFAIK his only responsibility at DOJ. Please correct me if wrong.

[Scrivener7]

63. If you never get more evidence, will you always believe he is doing something?

And his responsibility to investigate the crimes against the United States by the previous administration is one of his most important responsibilities. Please correct me if wrong.

[Mad_Machine76]

66. If the next year or two or three go by

and nothing is produced, then I would probably concede that he is not doing anything (re: Trump) but whether or not he is "doing something" (re: Trump) is pretty unprovable until DOJ releases something publicly. Of course, they can look at stuff and available evidence and be unable to prove anything too and/or decide not to indict, depending on what's uncovered. I still feel like 7 months is too short of a time period to properly evaluate Garland's ability to do the job for which he was appointed.

[Scrivener7]

73. So if, three years from now, he has done nothing, then you will believe he is doing nothing?

[Solomon]

79. Lol. Three years is way too late.

It's 2021. Even one more year is way too late.

[Scrivener7]

81. I totally agree.

[Fullduplexxx]

86. When (and I say that because the incumbent party usually does) all this jan 6th investigation

Will disappear

[sarisataka]

13. Well we certainly dodged a bullet

Supreme Court appointments are for life. Can you imagine?


Just in case it isn't clear-

[Scrivener7]

54. Sad thing is that his measured cautious approach would have been really good for the SC.

[The Magistrate]

14. Not, Ma'am, As They Say, A War-Time Consigliere

At present, his is a job for a man with a thirst for blood, which I fear Mr. Garland lacks. Usually that's a good thing, but not now.

I'm open to being pleasantly surprised by some future developments, but wouldn't bet the rent on it.

[hadEnuf]

23. Well put.

[The Mouth]

33. As always, cogent and precise.

[FoxNewsSucks]

46. That's how I feel.

The traitorous criminals need to be prosecuted,and while the case is being built they still should face immediate and powerful consequences.

I desperately hope the bad feeling I have about this turns out to be 180° wrong, but I not only wouldn't bet the rent I wouldn't even risk betting lunch on it.

[Boomerproud]

47. The Magistrate nails it again.

[usaf-vet]

75. I don't want to be saying the old adaged in 2022 and 2024,! Would have, could have, SHOULD have.

I would rather be saying... job well done we did what we need to do to save Democracy.

[Patton French]

17. Carville certainly has a way with words! (n/t)

[bucolic_frolic]

19. I'm slowly becoming convinced

we must join this battle sooner rather than later and prick this bubble now. It will only metastasize from here.

[CrispyQ]

21. IMO, democratic turnout next year will depend a lot on what the DOJ does or doesn't do.

Hopefully they're building their case & will sink Trump by next September, before early voting starts. We already have a ton of obstruction standing in the way of too many voters, we don't need a demoralized base, too.

Here's hoping Andrew Weissmann has disappeared from MSNBC cuz he's working with the DOJ.

[triron]

65. Weissman's disappearance is a mystery isn't it?

[Diraven]

24. Garland is too careful not to do anything

That might be misconstrued as being politically motivated. Republicans on the other hand consider politically motivated misuse of of justice to be a virtue.

[budkin]

25. Totally agree. It's beyond absurd at this point.

No wonder he sailed through confirmation.

[samsingh]

26. I agree - none of the redacted materials, such as the mueller report have been released

i guess we are willing to let Democracy die as we twiddle thumbs.

The House committee hasn't done much with their subpoena - no enforcement while the months go by. Afganistan might have been inevitable, but execution played into Trump's hands totally.

the two idiot senators we have might as well be maga because they are enabling trump.

yes, i'm very concerned.

[Kid Berwyn]

69. I wonder why so many Trump holdovers are still in top jobs at Justice?

Click in a box and it opens the page with relevant info:

https://www.justice.gov/agencies/chart

[live love laugh]

89. Therein lies the root of the problem. nt

[Joinfortmill]

27. I'm not qualified to comment. That said

I don't think any of us know what the DOJ is doing regarding investigation of Trump.

[Mad_Machine76]

35. +1

Exactly. If he's going to work everyday, I would assume that he's doing his job, which is managing DOJ.

[bringthePaine]

28. time to ditch Garland and appoint "acting" badass to clean house

[LiberalLovinLug]

30. But but but but Democrats don't want to look mean

I mean maybe......just maybe..... if we tell him that is okay, if he doesn't want to come he doesn't have to, and any other subpoena'd witness for that matter. Then, maybe... the other Republicans will turn and look and say "golly gee, those Democrats are actually really nice folks, and we respect the quality of niceness above all. Lets go give them a hug, and then voluntarily comply"

[Deep State Witch]

31. Garland Is A Nice Guy

I'm sure that Merrick Garland is a nice guy and very qualified. However, what we need now is NOT a nice guy. We need someone who's going to kick ass and take names. He should step down and Biden should nominate Preet Bharara for the job.

[hamsterjill]

38. I agree with the sentiment.

We do not need “nice” right now. We need someone who will stand toe-to-toe with people who are intent on destroying our democracy. Someone who can and will push the limits and act “creatively”.

The time for “nice” has run out.

[The Mouth]

34. We were farther along with the de-Nazification of Europe

7 months in, than we are in removing the putrid excrescence that TFG slimed our government with.

[Mad_Machine76]

45. I trust

that you recognize the very different circumstances present in both situations?

[The Mouth]

53. Yes, of course

The Nazis knew they were beat, and the Allies understood that they were up against pure evil.

Edited to add that I in no way blame Garland, much; look at the fact we still have DeJoy!

[Mad_Machine76]

56. The Nazis weren't just beat. They were crushed

and the military was in charge of the reconstruction and apprehension of war criminals.

[The Mouth]

61. And prior to that Hitler staged a failed coup

That was not appropriately punished.

[hamsterjill]

36. Garland has been a big disappointment

Time is running out. If he’s got something, he needs to move with it.

If he doesn’t have something on Trump, then he’s not the right person for the job because the criminal activity is all around for the viewing.

[harumph]

37. If nothing is done, we can safely assume that some

very very powerful people have already co-opted the state apparatus - they desire an autocracy but can't go
public with it - whether they're concerned about conserving their wealth, or the risk of millions of climate refugees, or whatever, and
we have been duped. I think a lot of people pantomime being liberal or progressive - but when push comes to shove...

[Mad_Machine76]

44. I believe the word you may be looking for is

"Deep State"?

[Scrivener7]

52. Or the mechanisms documented in the Panama Papers or the Pandora Papers? Which are not figments.

[harumph]

80. Thank you - yes

Means, method and motivation. Money (the means) motivation (fear of wealth taxation, retribution), and
method (offshore accounts, shell companies) exist. That's no fantasy as you rightly state.
Unfortunately, people can be readily bought and the transaction never see the light of day.
It's less complicated to simply buy compliance rather than threaten.
I hate it when people accuse one of conspiratorial statements, when
a reasonable argument may be made that extreme wealth without effective policing of outright bribery,
and the legalization of money as free speech, etc. have made our political system irredeemably corrupt.

Rather than a "deep state" it's individuals who have co-opted/corrupted/de-railed the state - full stop. The whole schtick of the
republican party has been treason-by-bumpkins for years (events engineered to look home grown and presented as such by the
media). Remember the Brooks Brother's riot in Florida? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooks_Brothers_riot
How is that not a logical foreshadowing of the events of 1-6?

[Scrivener7]

82. The other thing about the Pandora Papers and the Panama Papers that I find terrifying is

that they DO document this elite group that really is taking over the wealth and power of the world and is essentially untouchable because its reach is global and beyond any government.

This is TERRIFYING. But this story surfaces every couple of years and then very quickly sinks and no one really gets it. And part of the reason for that is that those who are members of this group are in control of much of our communication.

[Mad_Machine76]

42. I feel like

what a lot of people here want (and maybe think we even need) is a left-wing Bill Barr fixer-type person in charge at DOJ. You may think that Garland may be the wrong person for the job but where is the evidence Bahara or Yates would be handling things differently? They'd be constrained by process and law, just the same as Garland and I believe they'd honor them. Not even Sessions nor Bill Barr nor Barr's temporary replacement at the end were willing to completely shred the law for Trump. We need to let whatever legal processes that need to play out play out with Trump, et. al. We're supposed to be for due process and rule of law and against authoritarianism.

[joetheman]

43. Maybe Mitch did us an unwitting favor...or not???? nt

[BootinUp]

49. If this is just frustration I do understand

But I am hesitant to jump on a bandwagon without details. My personal opinion about Garland is that he is qualified and probably doing things by the book. We may not like the book when it doesn’t seem to help.

[Scrivener7]

51. If he was all over this, like some here insist, we would have seen something. There would

have been some indictment of a low level conspirator on a simple charge. There would have been some colleague or neighbor of a low level conspirator twitter-posting a video of the DOJ taking away a laptop. There would have been some person who was interviewed in connection to some investigation who spilled the beans on some TV show or some social media platform.

There has been nothing. I want desperately to believe the "you just don't understand all the amazing things going on behind the scenes" crowd. But right now, I absolutely do not.

[Arazi]

83. Yup. Agreed 100%

[triron]

87. Definitely seems overdue. Wish Rachel would get onto his (Garland's) case.

[Raine]

70. Carville on point! 👍 nt

[flamingdem]

72. Carville has good instincts

Time's a wastin'

[triron]

88. knr